Lesion-covered squirrels with potentially life-threatening virus popping up in backyards across US
Squirrels covered in wart-like growths are showing up in backyards in several states with a virus that can be fatal in some cases.
Photos of these squirrels have circulated on social media, with residents expressing concern that the warts could be contagious to their pets or harm other wild animals.
The virus is called squirrel pox or squirrel fibroma, and it originated in the United Kingdom and is fatal to red squirrels.
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Squirrel pox presents as hairless tumors that grow on the skin of fox and gray squirrels. The tumors can be on any part of the squirrel's body.
Laurie Brown, wildlife research technician with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said the fibromas typically resolve on their own.
But in severe cases, these growths can interfere with a squirrel's ability to eat, see or move, which can lead to starvation and increased risk of predation, often times becoming fatal.
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One possible instance of this happened in Ashtabula, Ohio, in late May, when resident Jessie Crislip discovered a squirrel with lesions all over its head and eyes in her yard.
"That poor squirrel suffered," Crislip said, sharing photos of the animal.
Brown said squirrel pox is related to other poxviruses that affect rabbits and deer.
Theresa Carroll is the owner of Halfway Home Wildlife Rehab based in Livonia, Michigan, and she has now cared for three different squirrels impacted by squirrel pox.
Phlox, a gray squirrel, came to her in early June covered in warts from squirrel pox.
Phlox was released from her care in late June after showing significant recovery.
Carroll said she treated another squirrel with the virus in 2025 named Maxine. Maxine was a fox squirrel in similar condition to Phlox. She was released after nearly a month.
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She said treatment is given in the form of immune support, until the squirrels show signs of recovery, then they are released.
Bugsy is a gray squirrel currently in her care. She said he is eating and making slow progress toward release.
Squirrel pox is more likely to infect young squirrels like Maxine.
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"Transmission occurs through biting insects, such as mosquitos, which is the primary route of transmission between squirrels," Brown said.
She said other biting insects that can pass the virus include flies and biting midges.
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Brown said to combat the spread of squirrel pox to squirrels in your area, remove any standing water that mosquitoes may breed in.
She suggested removing food sources to help cut back on contact with other squirrels.
The virus isn't known to transmit to humans or other animals besides squirrels.
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